From Antibes to the Verdon Gorge — Four Days Across the French Alps

Some rides are defined by numbers: kilometres, elevation, famous climbs. This one is remembered for something else entirely.

It's the route local riders tackle when they want to experience everything the South of France has to offer in a single journey. The Mediterranean on the first morning. The highest paved road in France on day two. Lavender fields stretching to the horizon. The emerald waters of the Verdon Gorge before rolling back towards the Côte d'Azur.

Four days. Around 2,000 metres of climbing every day. No compromises.

Day 1 — Antibes → Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage

The ride begins on the waterfront in Antibes, with the Mediterranean on your right and, on a clear day, the Alps already rising in the distance.

Following the beach east towards Cagnes-sur-Mer. Before turning inland, make your first stop at Copenhagen Coffee Lab, right by the sea. It's the perfect place for one last specialty coffee while the coastline is still within sight.

From here, the road follows the Var Valley, one of the least appreciated cycling roads on the French Riviera. The river winds through narrow limestone gorges while the scenery slowly shifts from Mediterranean vegetation to alpine forests as the mountains close in around you.

At Pont de Clans, Le Fournil Bakery is the natural resupply point before entering the Tinée Valley. The road climbs steadily north-west, villages becoming quieter, steeper and more remote with every kilometre.

By late afternoon you arrive in Saint-Étienne-de-Tinée, before spending the night a few kilometres further at Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage.

Dinner is at Le Régalivou, a favourite among locals, while the night is spent at La Petite Étoile d'Hôte en Mercantour, run by Patrice and Alexandra — the parents of professional cyclist Yannis Pelé, whose remarkable story is featured in Beyond Prognosis. They know every road in the region and instantly make riders feel at home.

Day 2 — Saint-Dalmas-le-Selvage → La Foux d'Allos

This is the day everyone remembers.

The morning begins with the climb to the Cime de la Bonnette, at 2,802 metres—the highest paved road in France—deep inside Mercantour National Park.

The early kilometres are deceptively gentle, passing through the tiny hamlet of Bousieyas, where the communal café offers one last coffee before the mountain truly begins.

Above 2,400 metres the landscape changes completely. Trees disappear, replaced by bare rock, endless skies and the final switchbacks wrapping around the summit on gradients touching 15%.

On a clear morning, you can still see the Mediterranean far to the south.

The descent towards Jausiers is long, fast and technical. La Buvette de la Bonnette makes the ideal lunch stop before continuing through the Ubaye Valley to Barcelonnette, a mountain town famous for its unexpected Mexican-inspired villas — built by wealthy merchants who returned from Mexico during the nineteenth century.

One final challenge remains.

The Col d'Allos climbs for nearly 17 kilometres at an average gradient of 6.5%, linking the Ubaye Valley with the Verdon. Marmots whistle from the roadside. Cows graze freely across alpine meadows. By the time you reach La Foux d'Allos, you've crossed two of the most iconic mountain passes in France in a single day.

Dinner is served at Le Toukal, before spending the night at Riviera Lodge Allos.

Day 3 — La Foux d'Allos → Aiguines

After the intensity of yesterday, today is all about changing landscapes.

The road descends through the medieval village of Colmars, continues past Saint-André-les-Alpes, and reaches Digne-les-Bains, known for its geological heritage and thermal history.

After a simple lunch, the route crosses the Valensole Plateau, one of the most beautiful stretches of Provence. Endless lavender fields, almond orchards and open farmland unfold beneath enormous skies.

At the far end lies Moustiers-Sainte-Marie, one of France's most picturesque villages, suspended beneath towering cliffs and its famous golden star hanging high above the valley.

A final descent reveals the turquoise waters of Lac de Sainte-Croix, before climbing gently into Aiguines, perched above the entrance to the Verdon Gorge.

Dinner at Le Rive Gauche is followed by a night at Gabrielle Hôtel, where lake-view rooms make it difficult to leave the terrace before sunset.

Day 4 — Aiguines → Biot

The final day belongs to the Verdon Gorge.

The road traces the cliffs above Europe's largest canyon, with emerald water nearly 900 metres below and towering limestone walls rising on both sides. Riding the famous Route des Crêtes at cycling speed allows you to absorb every viewpoint in a way no car ever can.

Beyond the gorge, Comps-sur-Artuby provides the perfect lunch stop at Restaurant L'Artuby, known as much for its warm welcome as its food.

The journey then crosses the high plateau of Caussols, where quiet roads and wide-open landscapes offer one final moment of calm before reaching Gourdon.

Perched dramatically above the Riviera, Gourdon offers sweeping views stretching from Nice to Cannes. The descent back towards the coast is long, technical and unforgettable.

The journey ends in Biot, one of the Côte d'Azur's historic villages, where dinner at Café de la Poste feels like the perfect closing chapter.

The Journey in Perspective

Some cycling routes are about chasing famous climbs or ticking off legendary passes. This one is about connecting landscapes.

In four days, you ride from the Mediterranean coastline to France's highest paved road, cross remote alpine valleys, roll through lavender fields, trace the edge of Europe's most spectacular canyon, and descend back to the sea.

Few rides pack so much variety into a single journey. It demands strong legs, careful planning and a taste for adventure, but the reward is one of the finest multi-day cycling experiences in France.

If you're looking for a ride that captures everything the South has to offer, this is the one you'll remember long after you've unpacked your bike.

This guide was written by our City Captain Simon, a local cyclist who knows every road between the Mediterranean and the high Alps. Discover more of Simon's favourite rides and recommendations on Ravito: https://ravito.club/gregarios/simon-t.